Photos by Eric Delaforce
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Raleigh with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Bagshot Road, Woking - XACT Flat Glass Roof Light

Exact Architectural Glazing

XACT Aluminium Flat Glass Roof Light supplied and installed to a property in Woking. Colour: grey exterior, white interior.
Mid-sized contemporary pool in Surrey.

10x12 Poolside Retreat & Living Space

Studio Shed - Live Large. Build Small.

Rather than a home addition, this customer thought outside the box - a satellite lounge area next to the backyard pool is a great space to hang out and relax after a dip. This Studio Shed is coordinated with the exterior space through color matching and orientation.

Mountain View Residence

aARts William Dale Brantley Architects

Lower entry
Large contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with concrete pavers.

Van Nuys

J Designs Pool & Spa, Inc

The perfect size for a small backyard, long seating area fits all the guests
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Los Angeles with with a pool and decking.

Residential New Build - Small Pool

Clear Tech, Inc

Our customer came to us with a bit of an issue.. a small backyard and big dreams. Guess what? Clear Tech took on the challenge and created a space that was enjoyable. We started from grass and turned the space into a relaxing pool area. We completed the look with outdoor furniture that brought the whole project together. Our customer is so excited to enjoy their new and useable outdoor living space.

Aquaduct Street Custom Pool House

Alair Homes Mount Pleasant

This contemporary traditional custom pool and guesthouse features an outdoor wet bar, sizeable pool, and orange accents.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard kidney-shaped lap pool in Charleston with a pool house.

Aquaduct Street Custom Pool House

Alair Homes Charleston

This contemporary traditional custom pool and guesthouse features an outdoor wet bar, sizeable pool, and orange accents.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard kidney-shaped lap pool in Charleston with a pool house.

Custom Fiberglass Hot Tub done in Turks & Caicos

Affordable Pools Custom Made Fiberglass

For this project we built a custom fiberglass Hot Tub with a infinity edge spill over. It was also completely covered with glass tile. It had a bench that faced towards the ocean, so when you sat inside the spill over looked like it was spilling into the ocean.

Boutique Living

Bayon Gardens

Landscape design & build by Bayon Gardens // Photography by Tim Turner
Small contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Melbourne with natural stone pavers.

DCM Building Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary side yard rectangular pool in Sunshine Coast with a pool house and tile.

Kiawah Ocean Marsh

Josh Atkinson - Atkinson Pools and Spas

Small contemporary infinity pool in Charleston.

A Beautifully Compact Backyard

Presidential Pools, Spas & Patio

Small contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Phoenix with a hot tub and tile.

De jardín abierto a jardín cerrado

Antonio Luis Martinez Cano, Fotografia

Fotógrafo: Antonio Luis Martínez Cano Arquitecto: Antonio Jiménez Torrecillas
Inspiration for a small contemporary rooftop rectangular lap pool in Other with decking.

Origami-Loft House

SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture

The owners envisioned an outdoor space that would allow them to enjoy the life cycles of the elements. The challenge was to blend the casualness of a true native Florida garden with the modern origami-inspired architecture. The crisp lines and bold hardscape textures and colors act as an interlude between the soft, seemingly unstructured flora and the sharp white building and walls. An edible garden, butterfly and larva attractants, and wildflower mixture allow the owners to experience the seasonal evolution of their landscape while recycled hardscape materials provide the access for observation.

Hunting for Perfection

Hobbs' Ink, LLC

Kurt Forschen of Twist Tours Photography
Photo of a small contemporary backyard rectangular infinity pool in Austin with concrete pavers and a hot tub.

Near Outdoor Audio 70V

ADC Audio Visual Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular aboveground pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub.

Glencoe, IL Smaller Swimming Pool with Full End Steps

Platinum Poolcare

This compact swimming pool measures 12'0'" x 26'6" and is 4'0" deep. The full shallow end steps and sunshelf provide an ample resting area. The stone decking and stone steppers highlight the modern house, as well as the glass enclosed fire table. Photography by Larry Huene

Ralston Creek Vanishing Edge

Josh Atkinson - Atkinson Pools and Spas

karson photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular infinity pool in Charleston with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Contemporary Plunge Pool in Roanoke

Liquid Concept Pools

Small contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Dallas with a water feature and concrete slab.

Contemporary Pool Design Ideas

Swimming pools are heavenly during hot Australian and New Zealand summers and are the perfect way to cool down, relax, entertain friends and even get fit. A contemporary pool can also create visual interest, especially when you consider features like coloured pool tiles, lighting and landscaping. If you are short on space, you might still fit a lap pool, plunge pool or swim spa, all of which could be focal points in your small garden. As you plan your contemporary pool design, map out your space and determine what size, shape and style works best for you. Browse the photos on Houzz for design ideas for above ground pools, inground pools, as well as pool landscaping and novelty features like pool slides or water features. Then, save your favourite photos to an ideabook, and get in touch with the experts behind your favourite picks.

What type of pool should I install?

The dimensions of your contemporary backyard will determine the type of inground pools you can install. Take into account boundary restrictions and pool fencing compliance. Fibreglass versions are cheaper, and quicker to install; whereas concrete constructions are better suited to tricky sites and give you more freedom in design. If you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to commit to an inground pool, above ground pools are a more affordable alternative. If you only have a small backyard, a plunge pool is a great solution, and can easily run along a boundary wall or down the side of a house. This option is also low maintenance, can be heated for use in winter, and can do double duty as a swim spa. A long, narrow space, on the other hand, could fit a lap pool, whereas a water feature could fill an awkward space. If your backyard features a stunning vista, consider an infinity pool to accentuate the view.

What pool fencing options are available?

While the specifics vary from state to state, fencing is required of most pool designs. However, pool fencing doesn’t have to obscure your contemporary pool design. Glass fencing is increasingly popular for this reason exactly, and is available framed, frameless, semi-frameless and even in-ground. A cheaper alternative is aluminium or steel fencing, which, again, are available in a variety of styles: flat top, loop-top, double-top and wire-based.

What pool landscaping features should I consider?

To get the most out of your contemporary pool, design an area that offers multiple hangouts. Include a nearby barbecue, dining area, seating for lounging and outdoor shower. Having shaded areas will give you more reason to stay poolside longer, too. Timber decking and stone paving are popular choices for pool surrounds, and are also helpful in creating zones. Just imagine a raised timber platform with a daybed – a luxurious, resort-style addition to any pool design. Leafy trees and rocks will create a more natural-looking oasis, and will help provide more privacy for swimmers. Where you want your landscape to be the main focus, keep pool equipment and furnishings to a minimum.